Apparatus and method for temporary attachment of holding or fastening means to a surface

ABSTRACT

A device for temporary attaching holding or fastening structure to a surface. The device includes a fixture traversed by vacuum passages, whose one side bears the holding or fastening structure and whose other side serves sealing purposes and is provided with a closed roll of compressible material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a national phase application corresponding to PCT/DE 92/00425filed May 21, 1992 and based in turn upon the German application P 41 25889.4 filed Aug. 5, 1991 under the International Convention.

The invention relates to a device as well as a method for temporaryattachment of holding or fastening means to a surface havingirregularities, whereby the vacuum principle used in suction attachmentsis applied.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known devices having a suction attachment connected to avacuum pump and which is applied to workpiece in order to be used asload hook. Further known are suction attachments in connection withdrilling devices, whereby these suction attachments serve as equipmentholders (DE 35 01 753, DOS 27 44 463). From French Patent 1 595 727 asuction cup with a compressible pad made of porous rubber is known.

Finally, vacuum holding devices are known which work with plate-shapedor cup-shaped suction elements, which on the side facing away from theworkpiece to be held are provided with sealing lips or a sealing ring,whereby the latter is made of a very soft, elastically deformablematerial and is designed as special, separate part and connected withthe suction element (DE-AS 27 23 16).

The task of these known devices is to hold or to transport loads, suchas drilling equipment. A precondition for the acceptable operation ofthese devices is a basically even, smooth, dense and homogeneous surfaceof the load to be transported. The suction elements known from DE-AS 2723 616 and French Patent 1 595 727 can also be used on a substrate whichis not completely even, but provided a predetermined negative pressureis constantly maintained.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide a device based on thevacuum principle for the temporary attachment of holding or fasteningmeans which can be affixed to a surface having irregularities and/orwhich is inclined;

Still another object is to provide such device that continues to havesufficient holding power after the negative pressure has been reduced oreliminated; and

Yet another object is to provide a method for mounting the deviceaccording to the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Such tasks have to be frequently performed not only in industry, trades,but also in private life. For instance, in construction it is a matterof creating support for a concrete encasing, of fastening scaffolding,of affixing a mounting on an inclined roof surface or simply of securinga freely set cable in several points at a corresponding height.

In order to solve this problem, the invention stems out from such aknown device as described in French Patent 15 95 727. The deviceconsists of a mounting plate traversed by vacuum passages and bearing onone side the holding or fastening element, and of other side of theplate which serves sealing purposes and is provided with a closed rollof compressible material.

According to the invention, the mounting plate is designed as aplane-parallel and stiff holding plate, on whose sealing side a roll isapplied as a plastically deformable sealing mass.

Thereby it is advantageous to use a corrosion-resistant plastic materialwith surface adhesion for the holding plate, whereby polypropyleneproves to be particularly suitable as a plastic material.

This holding plate can have one or more vacuum connections running inthe plane of the plate or vertically to the plate plane. In the firstinstance they run as channels ending in suction openings. Several vacuumconnections in such the plate offer the possibility to create severalvacuum chambers by mounting several closed rolls of a plasticallydeformable sealing mass, therefore limiting the unsealed areas of thesubstrate.

In order to maintain a sufficient volume of vacuum when the holdingplate is affixed to an uneven surface, it is advisable to insert one ormore limiters in the sealing side of the holding plate as spacers withits length suitably adjustable. For this purpose it is possible toinsert in the holding plate an inner thread consisting of metallicparts, which, for instance, would serve for receiving the spacers. Suchinner threads can be provided also on the outside of the holding plate,for optional fastening of holding elements.

Furthermore the sealing side of the holding plate can be provided with asurface structure enhancing the adhesion forces. For instance thissurface can be provided with milled ribs or simply be sandblasted.

Finally the holding plate can be provided with lateral grip ledges,which would facilitate its application onto and removal from asubstrate. These grip ledges or optionally additional recesses can servefor the application of a corresponding tool for the removal of theholding plate.

As the plastically deformable sealing mass of the holding platepolyisobutylene is used, whose characteristics are ideal for the presentpurpose. This plastic material, for instance in the form of a roll, isplaced around the rim of the holding plate and is easily pulled off theuneven surface as well as the holding plate, without leaving residues.This way this material can be used again repeatedly when such a holdingplate is used. When vacuum is created between the holding plate and thesurface, it has the particular feature of fitting itself vacuum tight tothe irregularities of the latter. Besides, as a result of its excellentadhesion characteristics a surprising effect results in that even afterthe elimination of the vacuum existing between the holding plate and theuneven surface, the holding plate remains attached under load for alonger period of time, sometimes up to weeks. This holding or adhesiveeffect can even be permanent. This surprising effect represents anessential advantage over the previously mentioned known suctionattachments, which work with sealing lips or sealing rings of rubber ora rubber-like material, as well as over the ones provided with a roll ofcompressible elastic material according to French Patent 15 95 727. Inthese known suction attachments, when the vacuum is eliminated, theobject carried by the suction plate falls down instantly.

Nor is the invention obviated by DE-OS 34 25 853 which teaches how toproduce mountings or hooks on an even wall by generating a vacuumbetween the mountings and wall and by subsequently injecting sealingmasses. This known mounting can carry a load only after the sealing masshas hardened and therefore does not solve the problem of the invention.

The plastically deformable sealing mass can have its profile preshapedbefore it is attached to the holding plate. For producing a preshapedprofile an extruder can be used. This profile can be shaped like sealinglips in order to achieve a quick sealing. The application of theextruded profile onto the holding plate is thereby facilitated by aguide element which is guided along in a groove of the holding plate.

It has already been mentioned that the sealing mass can be applied as aclosed rim in the desired shape. This shape can be selected so thatunsealed areas of the substrate can be excluded. The amount and crosssection of the sealing mass can be adjusted to the respective purpose ofuse, in order to achieve the respective desired adhesion force.

Depending on circumstances the sealing mass can be selected fromso-called polar masses (used between -30° to +5° C.), standard masses(used at 0° to +40° C.) and tropical masses (used between +15° to +70°C.). A combination of these masses are also possible. With theassistance of pressure or suction, the introduction of liquids or gasesof various temperatures is advantageous for easy assembly anddisassembly.

An essential advantage resulting from the use of a plasticallydeformable sealing mass consists also in the fact that it isself-sticking and can be affixed onto an uneven surface even beforegenerating vacuum--by mechanical contact pressure--since indentationsoccur between the sealing mass and the uneven surface.

The use of plastically deformable sealing masses offers such a furtheradvantage as the vacuum sealing of the holding plate can be fixed at anytime with additional sealing masses, if there are still unsealed spots.The use of thinned glue or paste can make advantageous substratesairtight, without thereby noticeably changing the substrate.

In order to enhance safety and for an easier supervision of the deviceof the invention it is proposed to provide an optic or acoustic alarmtriggered by the failure of the vacuum generator, i.e. due to currentinterruption or when the vacuum decreases due to other reasons.

A further improvement of the device of the invention consists in thefact that an additional vacuum tank with a sufficient vacuum chamber isprovided, which is interposed between the required vacuum pump and thevacuum duct traversing the holding plate. This vacuum tank, which has acylindrical shape and is provided with one or more perforatedintermediate walls or with external peripheral ribs for reinforcement,maintains the vacuum over a longer period of time, even after the vacuumpump was turned off. This vacuum tank is supposed to be equipped with afluid meter as well as with a discharge valve for the aspired fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become morereadily apparent from the following description, reference being made tothe accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a top sectional view of a holding plate according to theinvention;

FIG. 1a is a rear sectional view of this holding plate;

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the holding plate assembled on the wall;

FIG. 1b is the holding plate affixed to a wall;

FIG. 2a is a cross sectional elevated view of another embodiment of theholding plate according to the invention;

FIG. 2b is a frontal view of the plate seen in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the holding plate,assembled on the wall;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an additional vacuum tank;

FIG. 4a is a longitudinal sectional view of an additional vacuum tankaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the vacuum tank shown in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the holding plate according to theinvention mounted to hold a work platform;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the holding plate according to theinvention along with the assembly of finished construction components;

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrammatic views of the holding plate accordingto the invention mounted to hold protection scaffolding;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the holding plate according to theinvention and supporting framework for single-headed casings;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the holding plate according to theinvention mounted on an inclined storage surface (clarifying basin),and;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the holding plate according to theinvention used to hold traffic signs.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

The basic principle of the invention results for instance from theillustrations according to FIG. 1 and 2. These figures show the holdingplate 1 which is made of a light-weight plastic material which does notdistort, shrink, corrode or absorb humidity. This holding plate 1 ofplastic material is pressed against the substrate 7 having an unevensurface by providing an intermediate plastic sealing mass 5 which hasbeen previously applied to the backside of holding plate 1 along itsedges. In order to maintain a predetermined volume of vacuum between theholding plate 1 and the substrate 7, through the holding plate 1 one ormore longitudinally adjustable dividers 3 traverse the plate in a vacuumtight manner and rests against the substrate 7. Further the holdingplate 1 has passages for a vacuum gauge 4 as well as for a vacuum hoseconnection 6. Further the holding or fastening means 2 can be seen onthe outside of the holding plate 1.

This holding plate has a size of approximately 30×30 cm and a thicknessof 3 to 5 cm.

If such a holding plate 1 is pressed against a wall with rough finish,all that has to be done is to establish and maintain a vacuum betweenthe substrate 7 and the holding plate 1 through the vacuum connection 6,in order to be able to use the holding and fastening means 2 accordingto their purpose. With the aid of a vacuum pump a vacuum ofapproximately -0.7 or -0.8 bar is generated, which can be read on thevacuum gauge.

FIG. 1a shows a rear view of the holding plate 1 represented in FIG. 1with the plastic sealing mass 5 applied to its rim. Besides a bar 5aprovided on this backside is shown, which facilitates the application ofthe plastic mass 5 on the rim area of holding plate 1. Under certaincircumstances, this bar 5a can make the divider 3 superfluous.

FIG. 1b shows the fastening of holding plate 1 to unplastered brickwork.Since the individual bricks consisting of an airtight material areseparated from each other by air-permeable gaps, first several rolls 1cof a plastically deformable material are applied to the sealing face ofholding plate 1, so that after the holding plate 1 is pressed againstthe brickwork 7 a corresponding number of vacuum chambers can beestablished. For this purpose suction openings connected with thesevacuum chambers are connected with the laterally mounted vacuumconnections 6a.

In FIGS. 2a and 2b a holding plate of different execution is shown incross section and in a frontal view. Its sealing face is provided with asurface 41 which has been roughened by milling or sandblasting, this waycontributing to the enhancement of the adhesion forces. Besides in therepresentation in cross section according to FIG. 2a a gripping bar 40can be seen, which serve for an easier handling of the holding plate.

In FIG. 3 a further embodiment of the device of the inventioncorresponding to FIG. 2 is represented, which affords increased safety.In this case the holding plate consists of two interfitting plates 1aand 1b, which form separate vacuum chambers with the substrate or wall7. The vacuum chamber between the holding plate 1a and the wall 7 isdefined by the plastic sealing mass 5a, the vacuum chamber between theholding plate 1b and the wall 7 is defined by the plastic sealing mass5b. Both vacuum chambers are connected to separate vacuum generators, sothat for instance when the vacuum generator assigned to holding plate 1afails, this holding plate 1a continues to be held by the holding plate1b.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 an additional vacuum tank 8 is shown, whose vacuumchamber is connected in series via vacuum hoses with the vacuumgenerated by the devices shown in the preceding figures. This vacuumtank consists of a plastic tube which is closed in a vacuum tight manneron both ends by cover plates 9. These cover plates 9 are again sealedwith the plastic sealing mass 12. In order to keep up its bucklingresistance this plastic tube is provided with one or more perforateddividing walls 10, which are also kept in place by the plastic sealingmass. The sealing points are marked 12, the holes are marked 11. Thecover plates 9 of this vacuum tank 8 have connections 13 for the vacuumline, further there is a vacuum gauge 14 in one of the cover plates.

A modified embodiment of such a vacuum tank 8a is shown in FIG. 4a. Inorder to achieve sufficient buckling resistance, this tank 8a isprovided with peripheral external ribs 42. In addition, this tank isprovided with a display fixture 43 showing the level of aspired liquid,as well as with a liquid valve 44 for the evacuation of the aspiredliquid. It would be suitable to provide these fixtures also in theembodiment of FIG. 4.

Depending on their purpose, such vacuum tanks as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4acan have a height of 50 cm to 5 m, a diameter of 10 cm to 50 cm and awall thickness of 7 to 12 mm.

In FIGS. 6 to 12 embodiment examples for the use of the device of theinvention are shown, whereby identical or corresponding parts are markedwith the same reference numerals as in the preceding figures. In theseshown examples only the mounting of the holding plate is partiallyshown, without the required implements for the vacuum generation ormaintenance. As a rule there are always pertaining vacuum generators, aspecial supplementary vacuum tank, a vacuum switch and the requiredvacuum lines, which have not been illustrated for the sake ofsimplicity. Thereby the vacuum switch has the task to automatically turnon the vacuum generator (and also to turn it off again) when the vacuumsurpasses a certain preselected value.

However, in this connection it has to be pointed out that for atemporary attachment of holding or fastening means to an uneven orinclined wall it is not absolutely necessary to include a vacuumgenerator in the circuit. It can be absolutely sufficient to connect thevacuum passages through the holding plate with a vacuum tank undervacuum, after the holding plate has been affixed to the uneven wall, asshown in FIGS. 4, 4a and 5. The vacuum contained in this tank is thensufficient for the evacuation of air contained in the space betweenholding plate and the wall with uneven surface, thereby stronglypressing the holding plate against the wall.

Now in FIG. 6 one wall 7 is shown, which can be for instance a shaftwall, a staircase or a tank wall having an extraordinarily unevensurface. To this uneven surface a work platform 15 has to be affixed.This is takes place with the holding plate 1, which is first coated inthe aforedescribed manner with the plastic sealing mass 5 and thenpressed against the wall 7. Then over the vacuum connection 6 the vacuumis produced in the intermediate space. The holding means consist in thiscase of carrier plate 16 fitted onto the holding plate and wherein nextthe square timber 17 and thereon the deals 18 are positioned.

In FIG. 7 it is shown how the invention can be applied in the assemblyof finished parts, providing assistance for directional accuracy. Inthis case two holding plates 1 are used which are fastened on the oneside to the foundation anchor block 19 and on the other side to thesupport 20 for the finished concrete component and which in turn areconnected by a screw-adjustable support 21. The vacuum chambersunderneath these two holding plates 1 are connected via vacuum hoses 23to the vacuum tank 8, which in turn is connected via vacuum line 27 withthe vacuum generator 26. The vacuum generator 26 is controlled by vacuumswitch 24; the network connection is marked 25.

In this embodiment example all devices for vacuum generation and vacuummaintenance are used twice.

In FIGS. 8 and 9 two embodiment examples are explained, which alsopertain to the field of construction. In FIG. 8 a brick wall is shown,which is covered by a rough finish 28. The holding plate 1 is setagainst this roughly finished wall, this plate being supposed to carryin turn the scaffolding console 30 with the work surface 29. In thisexample the holding plate 1 with the scaffolding console 30 and the worksurface 29 form a unit, which at the same time carry the vacuum tank 8as well as the vacuum generator 26 and the vacuum switch 24. Via vacuumline 23 the vacuum generator 26 is connected with the vacuum passages ofthe holding plate 1. This described unit can be transported as a wholeand can be used as such at any desired construction site.

The construction shown in FIG. 9 is similar, it differs from theconstruction in FIG. 8 in that a total of two holding plates 1 areprovided, which form a constructive unit with the scaffolding console 30and the work surface 29, as well as with the other shown devices.

Finally FIG. 10 shows the fastening of the support framework 34 with theaid of the holding plate 1 of the invention. On an existing building 31after an insulation 32 a concrete wall 33 has to be erected, and forthis purpose it is necessary to install the support framework 34.

FIG. 11 shows how the invention can be applied in a clarifying basinwhich has inclined concrete walls, to which frame supports have to beaffixed with the aid of the holding plate of the invention.

The embodiment example according to FIG. 12 illustrates the erection oftraffic signs 36 which are supposed to be affixed to the asphalt so thatthey rest securely on their base. The holding plate 1 of the inventionis again used in this instance in accordance with the representation inthe drawing.

It has already been mentioned that the invention finds applicationpossibilities in industry, trade or in private life. So for instance thevacuum holding plate of the invention can be used as a cable holdingplate, shop accessories holding plate, as a holding plate for clothes,as a drilling devices holding plate, as a holding plate for diamondcutting, as a holding plate for light sources, as a holding plate formeasuring instruments, a holding plate for filming and photo cameras,for shows and fairs, as advertisement displays for images, inscriptionsor sensors, for antennas or receivers, as a holding plate for wall andceiling recesses, for sealing against liquids, fresh concrete or freshplaster.

Further utilizations would be holding plates for cantilever scaffolding,overhung constructions, for securing to facade walls for purposes ofcleaning or inspecting parts of the facade wall, for roofing work, as abannister post holder, holding plates on concrete supposed to be coveredwith wall hangings and where drilling is not allowed, as securing platesfor cable attachment and further as securing plates in assemblyoperations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting assembly comprising:a planar and rigidplate having a sealing side to be affixed to an uneven fastening surfaceof a body; a laterally unconfined bead of a plastically deformablesealing mass applied to said sealing side, extending all along aperiphery thereof, and projecting toward the body for providing anadhesion force between the plate and the body and adhesively engagingboth the plate and the body, said bead, said sealing side and saidfastening surface delimiting a chamber therebetween upon mounting ofsaid plate on the body; and vacuum means including at least one vacuumpassage traversing said plate and opening into said chamber forevacuating air from said chamber, said bead spreading against saidsurface and said plate upon evacuating air to seal said plate to thebody.
 2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing massincludes polyisobutylene.
 3. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein theplanar and rigid plate is made of a corrosion-resistant plastic materialwith high surface adhesion, and comprised of polypropylene.
 4. Theassembly defined in claim 1 wherein the sealing side of the planar andrigid plate is provided with at least one longitudinally adjustablespacer pressing against said surface to maintain a predetermined vacuumvolume in said chamber.
 5. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein saidvacuum means further comprises at least one vacuum connection mountedlaterally on said planar and rigid plate and with at least one suctionopening, said suction opening communicating with the respective vacuumconnection through the vacuum passage.
 6. The assembly defined in claim1 wherein the planar and rigid plate is formed with a rim having ashaped profile forming a guide for a guide element applying the sealingmass.
 7. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of planarand rigid plates are sealed by respective beads of said mass and areconnectable to respective separate vacuum pumps from which parallelvacuum lines lead to the individual planar and rigid plates.
 8. Theassembly defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing side of the plate has aroughened face.
 9. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the planarand rigid plate has a size of approximately 30×30 cm² and a thickness of3 to 5 cm.
 10. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said vacuum meansfurther includes a vacuum tank interposed between a vacuum pump and thevacuum passage traversing the planar and rigid plate.
 11. The assemblydefined in claim 10 wherein the vacuum tank has a cylindrical shape andis provided with at least one perforated dividing wall or with externalperipheral ribs in order to preserve rigidity of said vacuum tank. 12.The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein a planar and plurality of rigidplates are sealed by respective beads of the plastically deformablesealing mass and said vacuum means is formed with either one pump commonto said plurality of the plates.
 13. The assembly defined in claim 1,further comprising a scaffolding console provided with said vacuum meansmounted fixedly thereon and mounted on said planar and rigid plate. 14.The assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising an alarm systemreacting to power failure for the vacuum means or to the reduction ofvacuum below a certain threshold value.
 15. A mounting assemblycomprising:a planar and rigid plate having a sealing side to be affixedto an uneven fastening surface of a body; a peripherally closed bead ofa plastically deformable sealing mass adhesively bonding to said sideand said surface applied to said sealing side and projecting toward thebody for providing an adhesion force between the plate and the body,said closed bead, sealing side and fastening surface delimiting achamber therebetween upon attaching said plate to the body; vacuum meansprovided with at least one vacuum passage traversing said plate andopening into said chamber for generating a predetermined value of vacuumin said chamber thereby pressing said sealing mass against the fasteningsurface at a predetermined value of vacuum therein; and control meansfor controlling said predetermined value of vacuum in said chamber,providing thereby a reliable sealing of said planar and rigid plate tosaid fastening surface of the body.
 16. The assembly defined in claim 15wherein said control means includes an alarm system reacting to powerfailure for the vacuum means.
 17. A mounting assembly comprising:anarmature including a planar and rigid plate having a sealing side to beaffixed to an uneven fastening surface of a body; a closed bead of aplastically deformable sealing mass applied to said sealing side andprojecting toward the body for providing an adhesion force between theplate and the body, said closed bead, sealing side and fastening surfacedelimiting a chamber therebetween upon attaching said plate to the body;vacuum means provided with at least one vacuum passage traversing saidplate and opening into said chamber for generating a vacuum in saidchamber thereby pressing said sealing mass against the fastening surfaceto seal off said chamber; and at least one longitudinally adjustablespacer formed with opposite ends thereof pressing against said fasteningsurface and said sealing side of said plate upon generating vacuum insaid chamber.